football
AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh suffers 2nd consecutive defeat losing to host Thailand
Bangladesh suffered its second consecutive defeat in the group H match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers, losing to hosts Thailand by 0-3 goals at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand on Saturday evening.
Bangladesh started their campaign in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers with 0-2 defeat against Malaysia in the opening group match at the same venue on Wednesday.
Also read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh start campaign with 0-2 defeat against Malaysia
Bangladesh, which was placed in Group H of the Asian Cup with hosts Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, will play the Philippines on Tuesday in the remaining group match at the same venue.
After the day's match, both Malaysia and Thailand top the group list, securing six points from two matches.
Also read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh to start campaign, taking on Malaysia Wednesday
Bangladesh remained in the third slot in the four-team group without scoring a point.
Also read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh drawn in Group H with Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines
In the day's match, medio Purachet Thodsanid put Thailand ahead in the 44th minute (1-0), defender Chanapach Buaphan doubled the margin in the 4th minute of the first half's added time (45+3 minutes), while captain Airfan Doloh completed the tally by scoring the third goal in 87th minutes (3-0).
SAFF U-16 Championship: Bangladesh to play India in final Sunday
Bangladesh will play India in the final match of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championship on Sunday.
The final match between two neighbouring countries will kick off at 6:00 pm on Sunday at the Changlimithang Stadium in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.
Also read: SAFF U-16 Championship: Bangladesh to play Pakistan in 2nd semifinal Friday
Group A champions India swiftly reached the final, crushing Group B runners-up Maldives by 8-0 goals, while Group A runners-up Bangladesh managed a final berth, eliminating Group B champions Pakistan by 2-1 goals in the semifinals.
Earlier in the group A opener, India beat Bangladesh by a 1-0 score.
Also read: SAFF U-16 Champs: Bangladesh reach semifinal as India beat Nepal 1-0
But Bangladesh clinched the SAFF U-16 title in 2015, beating India in the final in tie tiebreaker held at the Sylhet Stadium.
Ahead of Sunday's final, the Bangladesh team held a strength and conditioning session at the team hotel on Saturday morning and a recovery and practise session at the match venue in the evening.
The Bangladesh team also addressed a pre-match press conference and attended the trophy unveiling ceremony on Saturday.
Also read: SAFF U-16 Champs: Bangladesh suffer narrow defeat against India in opener
Bangladesh coach Saifur Rahman Moni on Saturday, said, "We started the tournament losing to India by a 0-1 goal, which committed our players to be more serious about clinching the title by beating India."
"If we are able to play our best according to our ability, it will not be difficult for us to clinch the title," he further said.
"Our team has no major injury problems; our vice captain, Ashique, who missed the last game due to fever, is now recovering quickly, he added.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in the three-team stronger Group A with India and Nepal, while Group B teams comprise the Maldives, Pakistan, and hosts Bhutan.
Neymar breaks Pele's Brazil goal-scoring record in 5-1 win in South American World Cup qualifying
Neymar became the top goal scorer for Brazil's national team after surpassing the total of three-time World Cup winner Pelé on Friday.
The goal that put the 31-year-old Neymar on the top of Brazil's scoring record with 78 came in the 61st minute in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia in the Amazon city of Belém.
It was Brazil's fourth goal of the match in a 5-1 win, with the last goal of the game also being scored by Neymar during injury time.
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Neymar's record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pelé usually did.
Earlier, the Al-Hilal striker missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Billy Viscarra saved.
Neymar's second goal in the match came in similar fashion near the final whistle, with another low cross by Raphinha.
Brazil's soccer confederation considers Pelé as its top goal scorer with 95 goals in 114 matches. FIFA does not count goals the three-time World Cup winner had at national team friendlies against clubs.
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"78 times Neymar," the Brazilian soccer body said on social media after Neymar's record-breaking goal. "Neymar scores the fifth for the Selecao," it said after the striker's second goal against Bolivia.
Pelé's Foundation, however, acknowledged Neymar's achievement.
"Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian National Team in official FIFA matches," it said on social media. "Surely Pelé is applauding you today!"
Pelé died from cancer on Dec. 29 in Sao Paulo at the age of 82.
Striker Rodrygo, who also scored two goals against Bolivia, said he's still very much a Neymar fan.
"Neymar is very much a hero of mine," Rodrygo said. "This will be in my memory, this was a very special day."
Read : Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying
Neymar's most-recent match for Brazil before the victory over Bolivia was the World Cup quarterfinal loss last year to Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play the Selecao's first three games this year.
New Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said Neymar came to play for Brazil "to score goals, break records, show that he is very much willing to live this (the national team.)"
"He is a great hero," Diniz said. "People have to recognize it and accept it. He doesn't do anything to get this adoration he gets from the crowd, it is because of the natural talent he has."
Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying
Once again, and now as a World Cup champion, Lionel Messi came to Argentina's rescue when the team most needed him.
The 36-year-old captain scored from a free kick in the 78th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 win against Ecuador in the first round of South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
It was Messi's 104th goal in 176 international appearances, including his 29th in World Cup qualifying. Those 29 goals equal the record of Luis Suárez of Uruguay.
More than 83,000 fans at the nearly full Monumental de Nuñez Stadium were getting jittery until Messi scored, with their team having hit the post and the bar during the match, and offering Ecuador several chances to counter.
Also read: Messi has 2 assists in front of star-studded crowd in Los Angeles as Inter Miami beats LAFC 3-1
Ecuador kept Argentina at bay during most of the match with a defensive line of five players, led by Moisés Caicedo, which put Messi under wraps during most of the clash in Buenos Aires. But the decisive moment of the star was enough to beat the hard-working Ecuadorians.
Goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez did not move as Messi's shot from the edge of the box went to the back of the net, near the left post.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who completed five years in the job on Thursday, surprised fans with a different formation from the one that played and won the World Cup final over France in Qatar. He benched Ángel Di María and started Nicolás González.
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Scaloni also used Lautaro Martínez as his center forward instead of Julián Álvarez. Argentina's coach, who is yet to lose a match in South American qualifying, brought Di María in during the second half, but Argentina continued struggling to get clear chances.
"Every match needs 100% from us in this qualifying," Messi said after the match. "This was a tough match to play, a very physical one."
Earlier, Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0 with a header by Rafael Santos Borré in the 46th minute. Paraguay and Peru drew 0-0.
Argentina and Colombia lead the standings with three points. Paraguay and Peru are next with one. Ecuador has minus three points because of a FIFA punishment that caused a deduction in South American qualifying for the falsification of birth information of defender Byron Castillo, who is of Colombian origin.
Also read: Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
The first round of South American qualifying will be completed on Friday when Brazil hosts Bolivia and Uruguay plays against Chile.
All 10 teams in the region will play their second round on Tuesday.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format. The leading six positions in South America will secure a direct spot. The seventh-place team will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
FIFA Int' l Friendly:Coming from behind, Bangladesh play out 1-1 draw with Afghanistan
Coming from behind, Bangladesh played 1-1 draw with upper ranked Afghanistan in the 2nd and last match of the two-match FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly Football series in a rough and tough encounter at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here on Thursday.
The match was locked in goalless position in a rain-soaked and keenly contested first half.
Read : Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Bangladesh national football team played the two-match FIFA international Friendly series against their 32 ranked upper Afghanistan national side as a part of their preparation for the next month' s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Maldives.
After the match, the two match series between the two teams also ended in a draw.
In the day's crucial match, striker Jabar Sharza put Afghanistan ahead in the 53rd minute of the match by a cool header from a goal-mouth melee, utilizing a corner kick of his mate (1-0).
Incidentally, it was the first goal in the country's new international football venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena --which turned as an international venue last Sunday with first FIFA int'l friendly, also against Afghanistan.
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Country's promising forward Shekh Morsalin, who spoiled a golden opportunity against Afghanistan in the last match, compensated his previous mistake scoring the match equaliser in the 63rd minute by pushing the ball to open net from a handshake distance , off a Bishwanath Ghosh cross from right wing (1-1).
It was also the first goal for Bangladesh national team in the new venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena.
After making the equaliser, Bangladesh team created strong pressure over Afghanistan one after another, but failed to change the fate of the match due to shakiness of the forwards as well as for the confident defense of Afghanistan.
Read : Bangladesh Football team holds training ahead of Afghan challenge
In the day's tense-packed match, Afghan coach Abdullah Al Mutahiri and Bangladesh' s Assistant Coach Hasan Al Mamun got matching order in the 23rd minute after receiving red cards for non-sportsman like behavior and for clashing with each other.
Afghan mid-fielder Faysal Shayesteh got marching order in the added time of the match after receiving 2nd yellow card.
SAFF U-16 Championship: Bangladesh to play Pakistan in 2nd semifinal Friday
Bangladesh will play Pakistan in the second semifinal of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championship in Bhutan on Friday.
The match between Group B champions Pakistan and Group A runners-up Bangladesh will kick off at 7 pm (Bangladesh time) at the Changlimithang Stadium in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.
Read : SAFF U-16 Champs: Bangladesh reach semifinal as India beat Nepal 1-0
Group A champions India will also play the first semifinal on Friday against the Group B runners-up Maldives, which booked a seat for the last four stages after eliminating hosts Bhutan 3-2 in the last group match on Wednesday.
Earlier, India emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinal with an all-win record, securing six points from two straight matches, beating both Nepal and Bangladesh by a 1-0 equal goal margin.
Bangladesh finished as Group A runners-up to qualify for the semifinal, collecting three points from two matches and beating Nepal by 1-0 goal after conceding 0-1 goal defeat against India.
Read : AFC Cup Football: Mohun Bagan advance to group stage eliminating Dhaka Abahani
Pakistan emerged Group B champions also with all- win record securing full six points from two group encounters after beating Bhutan by 2-1 goals and the Maldives by 3-0 goals.
The Maldives managed a semifinal berth as group B runners, eliminating hosts Bhutan by a 3-2 goal in the last group match Wednesday evening.
Ahead of Friday's semifinal, the Bangladesh team is due to make their final practices Thursday evening at the match venue.
Read : Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in the three-team stronger Group A with India and Nepal while Group B teams comprise the Maldives, Pakistan, and hosts Bhutan.
The final match will be held on Sunday at the same venue.
FIFA Int' l Friendly: Bangladesh to play Afghanistan in last match Thursday
Bangladesh will play upper-ranked Afghanistan in the second and last match of the two-match FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly Football series at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Thursday.
The match will kick off at 5 pm Bangladesh time.
Also read: FIFA int'l friendly: Bangladesh to play against Afghanistan in first match on Sunday
Bangladesh's national football team is playing the FIFA Friendly against their 32-ranked upper Afghanistan national side as a part of their preparation for next month's World Cup Qualifiers against the Maldives.
The match will be the 10th international meeting between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh tasted their maiden and lone victory against Afghanistan 44 years ago, beating them by 3-2 goals in the Asian Cup Qualifiers in 1979.
Also read: FIFA Int'l Friendly : Bangladesh to play Cambodia on Thursday
Afghanistan won twice against Bangladesh's one win, apart from six draws in their last nine encounters.
The first FIFA International Friendly between two teams ended in a goalless draw last Sunday at the country's new international football venue, Bashundhara Kings Arena, which was converted into an international venue from a club ground.
Also read: Bangladesh to play two FIFA Int'l Friendlies with Afghanistan on Sept 4, 7
Ahead of Thursday's match, the Bangladesh team practised at the training ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena, while the Afghanistan team practised at the APBN ground on Wednesday afternoon.
SAFF U-16 Champs: Bangladesh reach semifinal as India beat Nepal 1-0
Bangladesh reached the semifinal of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championships as India beat Nepal by 1-0 goal in the last group match at the Changlimithang Stadium in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu on wednesday.
After the day's match, India emerged as Group A champions to reach the semifinal with all-win record beating both the Nepal and Bangladesh by 1-0 equal goal margin
Bangladesh finished Group A runners-up to qualify for the semifinal at the coffin of point-less Nepal beating them by 1-0 goal earlier.
Read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh start campaign with 0-2 defeat against Malaysia
Bangladesh, which suffered 0-1 goal defeat against India in the tournament opener, eagerly waited for Indian win or draw against Nepal in Wednesday's match to assure their semifinal berth and finally they achieved the target.
In the semifinals on Sept 8, Bangladesh will face Group B champions Pakistan while Group A champions India will meet the winners of hosts Bhutan and the Maldives, who are due to meet each other on Wednesday night.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three -team stronger Group A with India and Nepal while Group B teams comprises the Maldives, Pakistan and hosts Bhutan.
Read more: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh to start campaign, taking on Malaysia Wednesday
After the group matches, top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on September 8 while the final will be held on September 10 at 6 pm.
AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh start campaign with 0-2 defeat against Malaysia
Bangladesh started their campaign in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers with 0-2 goal defeat against Malaysia in the opening Group H match at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand Wednesday afternoon.
Bangladesh forced Malaysia to play goalless draw till 82nd minute of the match, fighting equally with upper ranked opponents, but their debacle in the last ten minutes caused a 0-2 goal defeat.
Striker Aliff Izwan put Malaysia ahead in the 83rd minute by a good shot outside from box (1-0).
Read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh to start campaign, taking on Malaysia Wednesday After conceding the goal, Bangladesh team tried their best to make the equaliser, but conceded one more goal in the injury time.
Substitute forward Fergus further sounded the Malaysian margin by an angular shot from danger zone in the 3rd minute of the added time (90+3 minute).
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in stronger Group H of the Asian Cup with hosts Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.
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In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will play hosts Thailand on Saturday (Sept 9) and the Philippines on Tuesday (Sept 12), all at the Chonburi Stadium.
AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh to start campaign, taking on Malaysia Wednesday
Bangladesh will start their campaign in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers by taking on Malaysia in the opening Group H match at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand on Wednesday.
The match will kick off at 4:30 pm local time.
Also read: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh drawn in Group H with Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines
The Bangladesh team, which reached Thailand on Monday afternoon, made their practices in Chonburi Tuesday afternoon after addressing the official press conference in the morning.
All the players of the Bangladesh team are in sound health; they are well prepared to play in Wednesday's match for a win against Malaysia, but regular rain in Chonburi for the last few days turned the field tough and slippery.
Also read: AFC Asian Cup: Bangladesh to play stronger Bahrain on Wednesday
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in stronger Group H of the Asian Cup with hosts Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Also read: AFC Asian Cup Qualifier: Bangladesh coming home empty-handed
In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will play hosts Thailand on Saturday (September 9) and the Philippines on Tuesday (September 12), all at the Chonburi Stadium.